Leslie Hindman Auctioneers
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Auction |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Leslie Hindman |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Contemporary artwork, fine jewelry, French antique furniture, rare literary works |
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is a Chicago-based American auction firm established in 1982 by Leslie Hindman. After being acquired by Sotheby's in 1997 and subsequently reopening in 2003, the company focuses on auctioning contemporary artwork, fine jewelry, French antique furniture, and rare literary works.
In 2019, the company merged with Cincinnati's Cowan's Auctions and adopted the new name Hindman Auctions. Later, in 2024, it combined operations with Philadelphia's Freeman's to create Freeman's-Hindman.
Company history
Founded in 1982 by Leslie Hindman in Chicago, the auction house expanded to become the largest in the Midwest region and ranked fifth across the United States. It conducted prominent sales featuring memorabilia from venues like Comiskey Park and Chicago Stadium, as well as estate auctions for notable families including Arthur Rubloff, Mrs. Robert R. McCormick, Potter Palmer, and heiress Elizabeth F. Cheney of the Dole family.
The firm gained worldwide acclaim in 1991 upon uncovering an unknown still life by Vincent van Gogh that achieved a sale price of $1.43 million.
Following its relaunch, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers managed estate sales for individuals such as Leo S. Guthman, Bertha Baur, Rose Movius Palmer, Melville N. Rothchild, Sally Fairweather, Helen C. Tunison, Frank J. and Mary Mackey Jr., and Dr. Reid I. Martin. Significant consignments included items from Leona Helmsley; Kenan Heise’s collection of books and manuscripts; artworks sourced from institutions like the Akron Art Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, and The Milwaukee Art Museum; corporate collections belonging to Kmart and Kemper Insurance; sports memorabilia linked to Ernie Harwell; music and film collectibles from Eric "Mancow" Muller; as well as John Drury’s assortment of A.C. Gilbert Erector Sets and Mysto Magic Sets.
Leslie Hindman biography
Leslie Hindman pursued studies at Pine Manor College, the Sorbonne, and Indiana University. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Lincoln College in Illinois. Her accolades include the YWCA Entrepreneur of the Year award and recognition as Woman of Achievement by the National Association of Women Business Owners.
For eight years, she hosted two HGTV programs—At the Auction with Leslie Hindman and The Appraisal Fair—which reached an audience exceeding 80 million households across the United States. Additionally, she contributed a syndicated column titled "What’s It Worth?" to the Chicago Tribune. In 2001, Clarkson Potter (Random House) published her book Adventures at the Auction.
In 2004, Hindman led the Great Chicago Fire Sale, a citywide auction on eBay that generated more than $240,000 to fund cultural initiatives such as the Chicago Cultural Center and Gallery 37.
She holds board memberships with organizations including the Chicago Public Library Foundation, Goodman Theatre, Children's Memorial Foundation, Arts Club of Chicago, and the Woman's Board of the Joffrey Ballet.